“Mommy, we won’t go if you don’t want us to dine out, but shouldn’t you at least inform Mr. Henry about it?” Robbie thoughtfully suggested. “After all, he’s still our guest, and we can’t ignore him now that he’s already here.”
“Yup, he’s right,” Jamie nodded profusely. He was so worried that beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead.
“That was not what I meant… “
“Ms. Windt, Mr. Nacht is here.”
Before Charlotte could complete her sentence, a paramedic outside announced Henry’s arrival.
“Robbie, why don’t you go and receive him?” Charlotte lowered her voice and instructed her son, “Just tell him that I’m not feeling well and won’t be able to entertain guests. Also, don’t let Mr. Henry come in. Ask him to wait outside instead. You kids get changed, then go ahead and have dinner with him.”
“Huh?” Robbie was confused and asked with a frown,” Mommy, but why? It doesn’t seem very nice to keep our guests waiting outside.”
“Exactly!” Jamie and Ellie agreed.
“Truthfully speaking, I met Mr. Henry before, but there were some misunderstandings between us…” Charlotte explained tactfully. “That’s why I don’t want him to know that I’m your Mommy.”
“Oh!” Jamie and Ellie did not fully understand the situation but nodded anyway.
“I understand now,” Robbie was the one who truly understood what Charlotte meant and said, “Don’t worry, Mommy. We’ll keep it a secret for you.”
“Yup, we won’t tell,” Jamie and Ellie echoed after their brother once more.
“That’s good to know.” Charlotte could finally heave a sigh of relief. “So, if Mr. Henry asks who your parents are, try to dodge his question, okay?”
“Yes, Mommy,” the three kids answered in unison.
“Jamie and Ellie, if you two don’t know what to say, just keep quiet and let Robbie answer, alright?” Charlotte reminded the two younger kids.
“Okay, get going now,” Charlotte said as she let go of Ellie.
“Yay! Thanks, Mommy!” Ellie immediately sprinted out and called out to Henry affectionately, “Mr. Henry, Mr. Henry!”
“Ah! My good girl is here!” Henry replied happily, excited to see the children.
Jamie was anxious to go outside as well and was about to wheel himself out.
“Slow down,” Robbie helped to wheel Jamie at once and closed the door behind him.
Meanwhile, Charlotte remained in the room and did not dare to go out. She stuck her ear to the wall while trying to hear what was going on outside.
“Mr. Henry, we’re so sorry, our Mommy is not feeling well, so she’s not able to meet you,” Robbie said obediently, as Charlotte taught him to. “Our house is quite messy too. Do you mind waiting at our neighbor’s house for a while? We’ll be there right after we get dressed.”
“Of course, that’s fine,” Henry answered immediately before continuing, “By the way, kids, do you know what your Mommy is down with? Do we need to get her the doctor?”
“Nah… Mommy just got back from the hospital,” Robbie made sure that his explanation was flawless. The boy even said to the pediatrician, “Dr. Howard, please help to entertain Mr. Henry while we get changed!”
“Sure, that’s not a problem at all,” Dr. Howard invited Henry and his subordinate to his house opposite at once. “Mr. Nacht, this way please.”
“Take your time, kids. Mr. Henry can wait,” Henry said to the three kids affectionately.
“Yup, Okay. Thanks, Mr. Henry.” The three children nodded politely.
“This is for your Mommy and Mrs. Berry.”
As Henry spoke, Spencer tried to enter the house with gifts for Charlotte, but Robbie intercepted the butler immediately and said, “Just pass it to me, thank you. Thanks again, Mr. Henry!”
“You’re welcome!” Spencer tried to look into the house without saying anything.
“Mr. Henry, please give us ten minutes.”
Robbie then hurriedly closed the door after waving to Henry politely.
The three kids went back to their rooms to get dressed while Charlotte took out their clothes and passed them to the paramedic before reminding them again, “Robbie, remember what I told you, yeah?”
“I know. Don’t worry, mommy,” Robbie reassured his mom.
